Dan Rogers. Photo: Chris Hollo

Opry Entertainment Group has promoted Dan Rogers to Senior Vice President & Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry from his current position as Vice President & Executive Producer.

Rogers will add new executive producer roles on additional upcoming domestic and international broadcasts, many related to the Opry’s 100th milestone next year. He will continue to oversee all programming aspects of the iconic Opry’s more than 200 performances annually and executive producer responsibilities for the Opry’s weekly Opry Live broadcast and live stream.

“We are thrilled to recognize Dan’s incredible impact on the Grand Ole Opry,” says Patrick Moore, CEO of Opry Entertainment Group. “Under his leadership, the Opry had a record-breaking number of artist debuts, with more diverse representation than ever before. Dan’s distinct vision for the Opry and the relationships he has built with Opry members and across the industry will be important as we approach the Opry’s 100th celebration in 2025.”

A native of Xenia, Illinois, Rogers received a B.S. in communication from the University of Evansville and an M.S.Ed. in educational psychology from Eastern Illinois University. He began his work with the Grand Ole Opry as an intern in 1998.

After being named Vice President & Executive Producer in 2019, Rogers led the Opry through COVID-19. He was the Executive Producer of the Opry’s album Opry Unbroken: Empty Room, Full Circle containing tracks recorded during the pandemic when the Opry played on to a worldwide livestream and radio audience despite not having a live audience in the Opry House.

Rogers also executive produced the NBC television special Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years Of Country Music and Dolly Parton’s 50th Opry anniversary special, also on NBC, and consulted on 2023’s inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards and Christmas at the Opry network broadcasts. He created, wrote, produced and co-hosted the radio series That Summer as well as additional specialty programs for WSM Radio and was a writer/production assistant on the syndicated radio show America’s Opry Weekend. He co-authored the Opry’s book Backstage At The Grand Ole Opry and authored an Opry-centric country music trivia book. Prior to his current Opry role, he worked in Opry areas including marketing, communication and strategic partnerships.

“My entire journey at the Opry has been in partnership with fellow staff members, treasured Opry members and guest artists, the country music industry and other partners who revere the Opry’s past and are passionately excited about paving a road toward its future together,” Rogers says. “I’m thrilled to continue our work in this new role, especially on the eve of the Opry’s 100th year when country music is making such a sustained and marked impact globally. Let’s roll.”

Pictured (L-R): House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44), Luke Bryan, Governor Bill Lee, Chris Janson, RIAA CEO/Chairman Mitch Glazier & State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27). Photo: Getty Images for Human Artistry Campaign

Just months since its introduction on Jan. 10, the bipartisan Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act was signed into law today (March 21) by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee at lower Broadway honky-tonk Robert’s Western World in Nashville.

The ELVIS Act establishes protections for every person’s unique voice and likeness against unauthorized artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes and voice clones. The act will officially go into effect on July 1 and will update the state’s existing right of publicity to address these fundamental human protections.

Pictured (L-R): Wendy Morten, House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44), Drew Baldridge, Governor Bill Lee, Natalie Grant, RIAA CEO/Chairman Mitch Glazier, Harper Grace, Matt Maher, Tennessee Entertainment Commission Chair Gebre Waddell & Recording Academy Chief Advocacy & Public Policy Officer Todd Dupler. Photo: Getty Images for Human Artistry Campaign

“Fittingly named after one of the world’s most iconic voices, the ELVIS Act marks a history-defining moment—protecting us all from irresponsible and unethical AI. The Human Artistry Campaign applauds this strong, bipartisan effort to stop unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes and voice clones that steal essential parts of our individuality,” shared Dr. Moiya McTier, Human Artistry Campaign Senior Advisor. “The life’s work and irreplaceable contributions of the creative community to our culture deserve safeguards that allow AI technology to be used responsibly without violating anyone’s rights or appropriating their art.”

“From Beale Street to Broadway, to Bristol and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state. As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, I thank the General Assembly for its partnership in creating legal protection for our best-in-class artists and songwriters,” said Governor Lee.

Several Nashville artists were in attendance to celebrate the signing of the ELVIS Act, including Luke Bryan, Chris Janson, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, Matt Maher, Maggie Rose, Wendy Moten, Drew Baldridge, Harper Grace and more.

Luke Bryan speaks about the ELVIS Act. Photo: Getty Images for Human Artistry Campaign

“What an amazing precedent to set for the state of Tennessee,” Bryan shared with the crowd of music makers and executives. “The leaders of this are showing artists who are moving here following their dreams that our state protects what we work so hard for, and I personally want to thank all of our legislators and people who made this bill happen. It’s hard to wrap your head around what is going on with AI, but I know the ELVIS Act will help protect our voices.”

Janson shared, “It’s a pleasure to be here today. If it weren’t for moving to this town and busking up and down the street begging for a gig, I would not be where I am today. It takes real leadership, and it takes a real team coming together to protect us. I came here wanting a voice, wanting to be heard and to sing in a Lower Broadway honkytonk. Do you know what that means to a kid from the Midwest or South Florida or all of these other cities around the world? It means they made it, and now we need to protect our voices from AI-generated deepfakes using our voices, our dreams. I love what I do, I’m so grateful for my job, and I’m grateful for leadership who cares. Thank you for passing the ELVIS Act today.”

State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44) shepherded the ELVIS Act to unanimous General Assembly passage (93-0 vote in the House of Representatives and 30-0 in the Senate). Throughout the process, country artist Lindsay Ell, five-time Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Natalie Grant, BMI Awards-winning songwriter/producer/Evanescence co-founder David Hodges, nine-time Grammy Awards-nominated Contemporary Christian artist Matt Maher, singer/actor/author Chrissy Metz, hit songwriter/NSAI Board Member Jamie Moore, RIAA SVP of Public Policy Jessie Richard and legendary Christian artist Michael W. Smith spoke to the potential harms of unchecked AI deepfakes and voice clones.

Many music advocacy organizations have applauded Lee’s signing of the ELVIS Act, including A2IM, ARA, BMAC, MAC, NSAI, NMPA, the Recording Academy, RIAA, SAG-AFTRA and SONA, all of which are members of the Human Artistry Campaign.